What Could be Causing Constipation?

What Causes Constipation?

In order to deal properly with constipation we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow constipation to develop?"

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Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind constipation consists of three steps:

Step 1: List the Possible Causative Factors

Identify all disease conditions, lifestyle choices and environmental risk factors that can lead to constipation. Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):

Fibroids
Mercury Toxicity
Magnesium Need
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Fluorosis
Poor Digestion
Bariatric Surgery Complications
Inadequate Fiber Intake

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

Identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

severe fatigue after slight exertion

deep-fried food consumption

much past amalgam filling removal

painful deep penetration during sex

refined sugar consumption

having had a small bowel resection

abnormal taste in mouth

being postmenopausal

jaw lymph node problems

occasional confusion/disorientation

metallic taste in mouth

hyperactivity

... and more than 100 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of constipation:

Cause	Probability	Status
Bariatric Surgery Complications	93%	Confirm
Guillain-Barre Syndrome	21%	Unlikely
Mercury Toxicity	18%	Unlikely
Fluorosis	1%	Ruled out
Magnesium Need	1%	Ruled out
Inadequate Fiber Intake	1%	Ruled out
Poor Digestion	1%	Ruled out
Fibroids	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate irregular stools, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Do you suffer from constipation?

Possible responses:

→ Not applicable / don't know
→ No, I usually pass at least one stool per day
→ Yes, I often have a day with no bowel movement
→ Yes, I often go 2-3 days with no bowel movement
→ Yes, I often go 3+ days with no bowel movement

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate normal stool frequency, tendency to infrequent stools, constipation or severe constipation, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Allergy to Foods (Hidden)

Anorexia / Starvation Tendency

Anxiety

This connection is discussed in the link between constipation and stress.

Bariatric Surgery Complications

Dyspepsia / Poor Digestion

Effects of a Low Carbohydrate Diet

Authorities recommend that Americans get "at least 30-35 grams" [Gastroenterology 118 (2000): p.1233] of fiber each day "from foods, not from supplements." [Circulation. 102 (2000): p.2284] The initial phase of Atkins' diet, which dieters may have to repeatedly return to, has about 2gm of fiber per day. [Atkins, RC. Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution. Avon Books, 1999]

The May 2004 Annals of Internal Medicine study showed once again that most of the Atkins Dieters are constipated and headachy.

Environmental Illness / MCS

Fibroids

Mural fibroids (located in the uterine wall) and subserous fibroids (protrude outside the uterine wall) may reach a large size before causing symptoms. These symptoms may include pressure on the bladder with difficulty voiding or urinary frequency and urgency, pressure on the rectum with constipation, lower back and abdominal pain, as well as heavy or irregular bleeding during periods.

Fluoride Toxicity

Chronic constipation is an early sign of fluorosis.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Constipation is often a problem, due to the reduced activity of the intestines, change of diet, weakened stomach muscles that resist efforts by the patient to express the intestinal content.

Hyperparathyroidism

Hypothyroidism

Constant constipation is a sign of hypothyroidism.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Inadequate Fiber Intake

Increased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut

Mercury Toxicity (Amalgam Illness)

Mesenteric Ischemia

Stomach Cancer

Stress

In a study of 34 women with chronic constipation, investigators led by Dr. Anton Emmanuel and colleagues at St. Mark's Hospital in Middlesex linked emotional distress with changes in the nerve pathway that helps control gut function. They say the findings suggest a specific path through which psychological factors directly influence the digestive system.

The researchers compared the patients, who had suffered bouts of constipation for an average of 21 years, with a group of women with no history of gastrointestinal illness. All took standard tests that measure psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression, self-image, social functioning and ability to form intimate relationships.

Women with chronic constipation were more likely than healthy women to report anxiety, depression and feeling less "feminine". They also found it harder to form close relationships. [Gut Aug 2001;49: pp.209-13]

Magnesium Requirement

A Japanese study 3,835 subjects found that constipation was linked more strongly to low magnesium intake and low intake of water from food, than it was to low fiber intake or low intake of water from fluids.

Fecal Impaction

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